Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) — The entire province of Basilan has been placed under a state of calamity due to a disease that affects rubber trees, the local government announced Monday.
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The declaration of the state of calamity was recommended by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council after it was found that almost 90% of rubber farms in the province were affected by Pestalotiopsis, a fungus that causes leaf fall disease.
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According to provincial agriculturist Surhayda Aguisanda, about 16,000 rubber tappers will be affected if the disease continues to spread.
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The Philippine Rubber Research Institute declared the onslaught of Pestalotiopsis an epidemic in the province, affecting more than 800 hectares in Isabela, Lamitan and municipality of Tipo-Tipo.
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Local authorities said the disease was first observed in the last quarter of 2021 and severe leaf fall was experienced in late 2022.
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During the emergency meeting of the Provincial Board last Jan. 19, it was reported that 1,529 hectares were found to be 10% to 100% infected.
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